Hurricane Katrina benefit concert planned by IU Jacobs School of Music faculty and students

A benefit concert in support of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Habitat for Humanity Musicians' Village will be performed on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 1 p.m. in Auer Hall at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Tickets are available from the Jacobs School Musical Arts Center Box Office on Jordan Avenue, or by calling 812-855-7433. They will also be made available at the Auer Hall Box Office one hour prior to the concert.

Students: $10

General admission: $20

Patron level tickets: $100 (includes a reserved seat)

A year after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, more than half of this area's residents remain displaced. Even the most fortunate experience the lasting effects of this disaster everyday. Lives have been lost, homes, neighborhoods and businesses destroyed, jobs eliminated and communities shattered. Although some progress in the recovery effort is being made, the city's plight has largely dropped from the nation's consciousness and conditions in New Orleans have improved little since last year. Depression and suicide rates have skyrocketed, overwhelming mental health professionals, and the community's need for rebuilding assistance remains high.

Music is needed now, more than ever. However, many New Orleans musicians lost their homes, instruments, jobs and students to the hurricane. Student musicians lost teachers and mentors. To help bring music back to the New Orleans community, IU Jacobs School of Music faculty will perform a concert based on the belief that the arts are not a luxury, but rather a vital and nourishing ingredient of life, and that they are key to both the community's healing and future vitality.